Following an intensive flight test campaign performed, aircraft on target to first customer delivery by the end of the year

In less than a year, the A350-1000 has received Type Certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The certified aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines.

The EASA A350-1000 Type Certification document was signed by EASA’s Certification director, Trévor Woods, and the FAA A350-1000 Type Certification document was signed by FAA’s International Section manager, Bob Breneman. Both certificates were handed over to Airbus executive vice president Engineering, Charles Champion.

A350-1000 Cold weather tests

“Receiving the A350-1000 Type Certification from EASA and FAA less than one year after its first flight is an incredible achievement for Airbus and for all our partners who have been instrumental in building and testing this superb widebody aircraft,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus COO and President Commercial Aircraft. “The A350-1000 benefits from the maturity of its successful brother, the A350-900, which has translated into excellent right-on-time performance. We now look forward to deliver the first aircraft to Qatar Airways by the end of the year.”

The Type certification is a requirement for the aircraft to enter commercial service. This milestone comes after an intensive flight test trials that have taken its airframe and systems beyond their design limits to ensure the aircraft successfully meets all airworthiness criteria. The three A350-1000 flight test aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce engines successfully accumulated over 1,600 flight hours. Of these 150 flight test hours were completed with the same aircraft in an airline like operational environment to demonstrate its readiness for entry into service.

A350-1000 flooded runway test

The A350-1000 is the latest member of Airbus’ leading widebody family, showing high level of commonality with the A350-900 with 95% common systems part numbers and Same Type Rating. As well as having a longer fuselage to accommodate 40 more passengers than the A350-900 (in a typical 3-class configuration), the A350-1000 also features a modified wing trailing-edge, new six-wheel main landing gears and more powerful Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines. Along with the A350-900, the A350-1000 is shaping the future of air travel by offering unprecedented levels of efficiency and unrivalled comfort in its ‘Airspace’ cabin. With its additional capacity the A350-1000 is perfectly tailored for some of the busiest long-haul routes.

On to its 6th year, The Payload Asia Awards is a celebration of excellence, spotlighting the air cargo supply chain companies that have excelled in the industry by rising above the very challenging global air freight market. These companies have shown market adeptness, innovative thinking and superior strategy – to make a positive impact on their own business and the market in general.

This year’s award continues with the innovative dual track awards – the first and only in the industry – that offers two unique but equally legitimate views of excellence.

In the vein of the entertainment industry’s People’s Choice Awards and the Academy Awards, we present the Customer Choice Awards and the Industry Choice Awards – the first determined by popular online voting and the second through ranking by an esteemed industry panel.

Payload Asia continues to be the authoritative source for informative, accurate and up-todate news and information on the air cargo industry and related sectors. With its updated and refreshed look the print edition continues to provide high quality coverage on the Asia-Pacific, India-Middle East, Europe-CIS, North & South America and Africa air cargo markets.